Illegal Migrant ‘Squatting’ TikToker On Run From ICE

Venezuelan national and illegal migrant Leonel Moreno, who entered the U.S. in April 2022, has been causing uproar with his social media posts. He recently went viral for urging migrants to squat in American homes by exploiting loopholes in trespassing and “adverse possession” laws.

Moreno was placed under the Biden administration’s Alternatives to Detention (ATD) program. The program sets illegal migrants free inside the U.S. after their processing while requiring them to wear monitoring devices as they await asylum hearings. Like untold numbers of other illegals, Moreno disregarded his legal obligations and became a fugitive, according to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) documents.

Former ICE field office director John Fabbricatore described the fundamental problems with the ATD program. He said federal agents rarely pursue migrants who abscond unless they’re apprehended for unrelated crimes by local law enforcement. The systemic failure to provide an enforcement mechanism leaves communities nationwide exposed to criminals with bad intentions.

Moreno’s online influence among the illegal migrant community has grown rapidly. One of his most controversial pieces of advice was for migrants to “seize” uninhabited homes in the U.S. by squatting. He claimed to have “cheat codes” from friends who had already taken over multiple properties through such illegal means.

Moreno’s brazenness reached new heights with his posts mocking American taxpayers and flaunting his ill-gotten gains. In a series of Instagram videos, he boasted about living off government handouts and earnings from his online activities without the need to work. He openly ridicules migrants who choose to legally work in what he calls “menial jobs” instead of exploiting the system as he recommends.

His actions have drawn criticism not just for the lawlessness they promote but also for highlighting the incentives created by current immigration policies. Critics argue that such policies encourage illegal immigration by offering benefits without sufficient oversight, thereby undermining the rule of law and fairness to legal immigrants and American citizens alike.

The situation with Moreno is not an isolated incident but a symptom of broader policy failures. Cities across the U.S., from New York to Los Angeles, have reported issues with squatting, exacerbated by eviction moratoriums and a push for tenants’ rights. Adele Andaloro’s arrest in New York for attempting to reclaim her own home from squatters illustrates the absurdity of the current legal landscape, where property rights are often sidelined in favor of those knowingly breaking the law.

The Biden administration’s immigration strategies, particularly the overreliance on programs like ATD, have come under fire for their inefficacy and for fostering an environment where misuse of the system is all too easy. The “open borders” approach has been criticized for prioritizing political optics over practical enforcement and public safety, leaving American communities to deal with the consequences of unvetted and unchecked migration flows.

The proliferation of squatting and the challenges property owners face in reclaiming their homes reflect a broader disregard for personal property rights, fueling frustrations among American citizens. The case against Moreno and the wider trend of squatting facilitated by social media influencers highlight the urgent need for a comprehensive review and overhaul of current immigration and property laws. Without decisive action, the trust in America’s ability to manage its borders and enforce its laws fairly and effectively will continue to erode.

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR